(CNA/EWTN News).- In wake of escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine following the murder of three Israeli teens, Bishop William Shomali has encouraged leaders to work for reconciliation, rather than retaliation.
“We are against the killing of these three young Israeli men. It’s a homicide, it’s a crime against humanity,” the bishop said in comments made to CNA July 2.
“But at the same time we should also look at the whole situation between Palestinians and Israelis (in order) to reach a reconciliation, so that such crimes are not repeated.”
serving as the auxiliary bishop of Jerusalem, Bishop Shomali spoke in wake of the recent killing of three Israeli teenagers – Gilad Shaer and Naftali Fraenkel – both 16 – and Eyal Yifrah, 19, who disappeared June 12 while hitchhiking near the West Bank city of Hebron.
On Monday, Israeli security sources confirmed that the bodies of the three young men were found in shallow graves, covered by few rocks, not far from where they were last seen.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faulted the Palestinian organization Hamas for their disappearance, stating at the start of an emergency session of his security cabinet after the bodies were found that “Hamas is responsible. Hamas will pay, and Hamas will continue to pay.”